Liveability, which operated from the Austin Rawlinson Lifestyle Centre in Speke is due end in July, after its funding was withdrawn, despite being named Liverpool’s ‘Best Older Persons Agency 2015’.

But the city council says it will be replaced by the new service, which will operate from three centres rasther than one, and benefit more people.

It will promote exercise and healthy living among the city’s over-50s as part of the city council’s physical activity strategy.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson , said: “The new scheme for over-50s will be rolled out at three Lifestyles centres across the city, one of which will be at Austin Rawlinson’s.

“I know the service users there are concerned about the future of their existing service, but hopefully this announcement will go some way to allaying their concerns.

“We are currently working on final arrangements, but the intention is to offer a similar range of activities to Liveability.

Older people using the Liveability service at the Austin Rawlinson Lifestyle Centre

“Although the council faces unprecedented spending cuts from the government – with 58% of our budget disappearing since 2011 – a wise investment in promoting health, especially among the over-50s – will pay for itself many times over if we encourage people to be more active and health conscious through their ‘middle years’. That’s the thinking that lies behind this move.”

The award-winning nurse-led Liveability service, which also provides home assessments to help reduce the risk of falls and social isolation, works with around a 1,000 older people from across the city, and volunteer Harry King said when funding was withdrawn people felt they were “being thrown on the scrap heap”.

But the council says the intention is that by providing three centres across the city – based at existing Lifestyles centres – many more people will be able to access the service.

This move comes despite an in-year cut by the government to the council’s public health budget of £2.9 million, with another deep cut of £7 million expected next year.

In addition, later this year the city council will be announcing details of a £3 million investment in a physical activity strategy, including support for vulnerable people and those referred by their GP.

Cabinet Member for Adult &amp; Children’s Social Care &amp; Health, Cllr Roz Gladden, said: “Each of us has got to be mindful about how we can improve our health and welfare as we get older so that we have the best chance not only of a long life, but an active one as well.

“It’s never too late to do something about our lifestyles and the idea behind our physical activity strategy is to give people choice about a wide range of services and activities that they can access and get involved with.”